When The Korea Herald first reported on a Chihuahua darting through traffic near Gupabal Station, the story struck a familiar nerve: What actually happens after a lost dog enters the shelter system in Korea?
Weeks later, that same dog — now called Charm — is no longer in a municipal shelter. She is in foster care in Pyeongtaek, recovering under the care of a volunteer-run rescue group. But just as her story seemed to be settling into a hopeful rhythm, it took another unexpected turn.
Charm was pregnant. She has since given birth to a single puppy.
What began as a split-second decision by a passerby has since grown into a story about how fragile and complex South Korea’s rescue system can be — and how many people it can take to give one small dog, and in this case, her unexpected puppy, a second chance.
Concern turned into action
As Charm’s story circulated online, so did concern. In comment sections and community forums, some readers worried that her transfer to a government-designated shelter could put her at risk of euthanasia — a fear that, while n
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